A useful starting point
Talk through your reasoning.
Explain your priorities and reasoning. Be clear about the limits of your role and the information or authorised support you would need.
01
Identify the priority
What is the immediate concern? What information is missing?
02
Explain your response
What would you do first, within your training and responsibilities? Explain why.
03
Communicate & escalate
Who needs to know? How would you check understanding and get appropriate support?
04
Check & follow through
What would you need confirmed before continuing? How would you record or hand over the concern?
Learn from the approach
One way to answer.
This is an illustrative example, not a script to memorise. Adapt the approach to your own experience and the question you are asked.
Read the example answer
I would clarify my concern respectfully, explaining why I believe the action is unsafe and citing relevant safety procedures. If the instruction persists, I would refuse to carry out an unsafe action, as safety takes priority over following instructions. I would then contact a supervisor or appropriate authority to resolve the situation.
Before you move on
Review your answer.
- Show you put safety above obedience
- Communicate concerns professionally
- Be willing to refuse unsafe instructions
- Follow proper escalation procedures
Go a little deeper
How would you explain the specific concern?
What would you need resolved before proceeding?